Author Archives: Andrew Waddington

Vanguard 619 gets bored of boards

Posted on Wednesday 12 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington

With all of the trams residing at the Heaton Park Tramway now safely undercover, no time has been wasted in preparing Blackpool Vanguard 619 for service for the first time since 2011. This tram had been covered with wooden boards … Continue reading →

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Visitor numbers fall at Glasgow museum

Posted on Tuesday 11 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The transport museum located in the Scottish city of Glasgow has traditionally been the most visited tram-related visitor attraction in the UK, no doubt largely thanks to the lack of an admission charge. Since being redeveloped as the Riverside Museum … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Help for horse trams at Leeds

Posted on Monday 10 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The restoration of the rediscovered Cambridge/Bradford/Bath horse tramcar now housed at the Ipswich Transport Museum is now underway, with some assistance being provided by the Leeds Transport Historical Society. Having gained considerable expertise whilst restoring the similar horse tram Leeds … Continue reading →

Posted in Ipswich Transport Museum, Leeds Transport Historical Society | 3 Comments

Another Heaton Park tram goes undercover

Posted on Monday 10 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington

It seems like barely a week goes by without something momentous happening at Manchester’s Heaton Park, and the latest milestone was achieved on Sunday 9th March when the first two tracks to be laid within the new Lakeside Depot were … Continue reading →

Posted in Heaton Park Tramway | 1 Comment

Changes to Blackpool concessionary arrangements confirmed

Posted on Friday 7 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington

As predicted, Blackpool Council are to withdraw the provision of free tram travel in Blackpool for non-Blackpool residents eligible for the English National Travel Concession Scheme, with effect from 1st April. Despite hopes that Lancashire County Council would step in … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 42 Comments

Liverpool 245 revealed in all her glory!

Posted on Thursday 6 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The amazing work being done at Birkenhead to restore Liverpool ‘Baby Grand’ car 245 to a pristine and operational condition is continuing, with the tram now nearing completion. Final painting is actively underway and another major milestone occured on 6th … Continue reading →

Posted in Birkenhead Heritage Tramway | 20 Comments

752 makes history at Heaton Park again!

Posted on Tuesday 4 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Another small movement by a tramcar represented a giant leap forward for the Heaton Park Tramway on Tuesday 4th March, when the resident works car Blackpool 752 became the first tram to use the newly installed second track within the … Continue reading →

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Trevor Roberts leaves Blackpool Transport

Posted on Monday 3 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington

It has been announced that Blackpool Transport’s Managing Director Trevor Roberts has stepped down from his position with the company. Mr Roberts had been in charge of the firm since 2009 when he replaced Steve Burd, and although he has served … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway, People | 13 Comments

New owners of Blackpool 643 revealed

Posted on Monday 3 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Following the surprise departure of Blackpool Centenary car 643 from Broadwater Caravan Park on 28th February, it has been confirmed that the tram has been donated to the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust. The tram has been relocated to Fleetwood fish … Continue reading →

Posted in Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust | 2 Comments

Blackpool trams take over Beamish!

Posted on Monday 3 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington

For the first weekend of March, an intensive four-tram service was operated on the lengthy tramway circuit at Beamish Museum, using exclusively Blackpool trams. This low-key event was intended primarily to showcase the two visiting tramcars – Pantograph car 167 … Continue reading →

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Blackpool heritage trams set for May Day

Posted on Friday 28 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Following the previous announcement that the daytime heritage tram service in Blackpool had been cut back to just nine days for the 2014 season, it is pleasing to have some good news to report in regard of this decision. Thanks … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 2 Comments

In Pictures: More Blackpool trams visit Starr Gate

Posted on Friday 28 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The movement of various trams from Blackpool Transport’s heritage tram fleet between the two depots at Rigby Road and Starr Gate has been a frequent occurance on Fridays for the last few weeks. Friday 28th February was no exception, as … Continue reading →

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Centenary car 643 on the move again

Posted on Friday 28 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Blackpool Centenary car 643 became the latest tram to make a journey by road on Friday 28th February, when the car departed its home at the Broadwater Caravan Park. This follows a short period of use as a static cafe … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 6 Comments

Free tram travel for non-Blackpool residents under threat

Posted on Thursday 27 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

There is currently intense speculation regarding the future of the offer of free travel on the Blackpool tramway for all holders of the UK concessionary passes issued to senior citizens. Before the opening of the modernised tramway, this offer was extended … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackpool Tramway | 26 Comments

Trams swap between Britain and Budapest

Posted on Thursday 27 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The return of Budapest twin set 2576+2577 to its native country last year, following a chequered career in preservation in the UK, signalled the end of the presence of any representative of this operator on British soil. However, and very surprisingly, … Continue reading →

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British Trams Online writer unveils first tram book

Posted on Tuesday 25 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

British Tram Online‘s regular news writer Andrew Waddington has just released his first ever tram book. Entitled ‘Blackpool Trams – Where are they now?’ the book aims to provide a concise illustrated guide to every Blackpool tram that survives today … Continue reading →

Posted in People | 6 Comments

Lightning strikes twice for Stockport 5

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

The saying that lightning never strikes twice has unfortunately been proved untrue by the Manchester Transport Museum Society, who have had to withdraw the planned loan of Stockport 5 to Beamish for their main transport event in April for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Beamish Tramway, Heaton Park Tramway | 16 Comments

Mixed fortunes for the Crich horse tram fleet

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

In a pleasing development, anyone who fancies a ride on a horse tram at Crich Tramway Village this year won’t have to attend the Edwardian event, as Sheffield 15 will also be operating for a special Sheffield-themed event in May. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crich Tramway Village | 3 Comments

Picture in Time 14: Balloon 711 through the years

Posted on Saturday 22 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

To mark the upcoming transfer to the National Tramway Museum of Blackpool Balloon car 711 on an initial two-year loan, our occasional Picture in Time feature puts the spotlight on this tram, featuring three liveries it has carried over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture in Time | 1 Comment

Seaton trams return to the road – literally!

Posted on Friday 21 February 2014 by Andrew Waddington

Just one week ago, the Seaton Tramway in Devon was devastated by severe weather conditions, which flooded the tramway’s offices, damaged overhead poles and washed away part of the track bed, scuppering plans to re-open for business in time for … Continue reading →

Posted in Seaton Tramway | 2 Comments